Chapter 78 The Jade Shattered, Feeling Very Sad
The air went dead silent.
Bart was on edge, watching Evelyn and Edward about to argue again. He wished he could just shut Edward up!
Evelyn laughed nervously, her glistening eyes looking stunning. "Edward, I admit. I overestimated myself back then. It was wishful thinking to be with you, trying to win you over, but I got nothing in return. But you got one thing wrong. Even if you forced me to leave, I never resented you. I wanted to part amicably, but you kept dragging it out, tearing apart the last bit of dignity between us. So I had no choice but to do whatever it took to get you, the intruder in my new life, out. You were forced to marry me back then, and now I'm forced to treat you this way. The only way for us to be happy is to become strangers."
Edward felt like he'd been hit in the chest, his heartbeat seemingly paused.
"Bart, it's too late. Take Edward home."
Evelyn suppressed her sadness, quickly turning away.
Someone who couldn't see her love and sacrifice wasn't worth her tears.
Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her wrist. She turned around to see Edward's bloodshot eyes.
"Edward, let go," Evelyn struggled to free her arm.
Edward's lips parted slightly, about to say something when a cold voice cut in.
"Edward, given your esteemed stature, isn't it a bit disrespectful to grab our future daughter-in-law in front of Oasis Villa late at night?"
Evelyn saw Donna and Susan approaching quickly. She shook off Edward and stepped back to their side.
"Future daughter-in-law?" Edward was stunned, his eyes unfocused.
"Tonight, Landon brought Lily back for our family dinner. It's clear he officially wants us to meet her," Donna said, putting her arm around Evelyn's shoulder. "Lily is beautiful, has a good character, and gets along well with Landon. Everyone in our family, including Mr. Taylor, is very satisfied with her. We're even planning to meet Lily's parents soon to set a wedding date."
Evelyn was puzzled by their over-the-top support.
Edward felt like a piece of his chest had been hollowed out, the cold wind howling through the void.
"Edward, if I remember correctly, you announced your engagement through the media, right?" Susan stared at Edward. "You're about to get married. Instead of spending time with your fiancée, you come here to bother Lily. What does that mean?
"Reputation is crucial for a girl. If you don't care about your dignity, fine, but don't drag Lily down with you. She's about to become a member of our family. If you don't watch your behavior, don't blame us for being ruthless!"
Evelyn knew Susan was someone who acted rather than talked, but Susan talking to Edward without acting ruthless meant Donna and Joyce had done a lot of psychological work on her.
Bart held his forehead. 'Edward, why did you follow us here? You're just asking for trouble!'
Edward's hand, having just touched Evelyn, slowly clenched into a fist, trembling slightly.
Edward was trying hard to hold onto something, but it seemed like he couldn't grasp anything. He didn't even know what he couldn't let go of. After all, he was the one who wanted to end this marriage.
"Susan, Donna, it's freezing out here. You might catch a cold. Let's go home," Evelyn said out of habit, making "home" sound like a fortress, shutting Edward out completely.
"Mrs. Wellington, is what they said true?" Edward voiced hoarsely.
Evelyn took a deep breath and answered, "Yes."
"Alright."
Edward kept saying "alright", his face pale. He pulled out a black velvet jewelry box from his pocket and handed it to her.
"This is a wedding gift for you."
Evelyn's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't take it. She couldn't believe he still had it.
"Lily might feel awkward accepting it, so I'll take it for her," Susan said, snatching the box and opening it to reveal a stunning purple jade bracelet.
Evelyn could tell it was valuable, not something one could just buy at a mall. In the past, a gift from Edward would have made her ecstatic. But now, her joy was buried under cold indifference.
A belated gift was worthless.
"Although I don't know much about jewelry, this jade bracelet looks quite clear. It must be expensive. Edward is very thoughtful," Susan said, her eyes suddenly fierce. She raised her arm and, with a sound, the purple jade shattered between Evelyn and Edward!
Edward watched his heartfelt gift get destroyed, his pupils constricting, his face turning ashen.
Evelyn's fingers curled up in shock, avoiding Edward's gaze.
"Susan! What do you mean by this? This is Edward's heartfelt gift! Even if you don't accept it, you shouldn't destroy it!" Bart was furious.
"Edward, why didn't you give this heartfelt gift to Lily before you divorced her? Now, after the separation, you come to give her a gift. Is it because you see she has a new boyfriend and feel angry, using this to humiliate her?" Susan's sharp heel stomped on the shattered jade, grinding it. "Consider this gift accepted by Lily. If you understand the situation, go back to Mugden. You're not welcome in Hameen!"
Edward swallowed hard. He glanced at the shattered jade bracelet and then looked at Evelyn one last time.
Evelyn's heart trembled. She avoided his gaze and stepped forward to pull Susan.
"Let's go home."
"Lily," Bart said, extremely disappointed that Evelyn didn't even try to defend Edward.
"Let's go home. Let's not let others ruin our party mood," Susan said, leaving arm in arm with Evelyn.
Donna glanced at the bloodless Edward, shaking her head in mockery. "You brought this on yourself."
Back home, Evelyn dropped her cold facade, feeling utterly exhausted and hollowed out.
She thought of the shattered bracelet and Edward's broken eyes, feeling a deep bitterness.
She knew Donna and Susan were venting their anger for her, but it seemed like they were making her look like the one who wronged Edward.
"Evelyn!" Simon rushed to her, panting and anxious. "Ulysses had another fight with Dad! Dad even hit Ulysses!"
